Dr. Brown Answers Your Questions

How do you address those who proclaim to love Christ, yet live against the Word? Was Elisha’s curse upon the boys who mocked him too harsh? Get these answered plus much more on today’s Line of Fire!

Hour 1:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: Yes, the world is messed up and there is a lot of sin out there but we also need to ask the question–how much sin is here in the church and in our lives? We need to step up and be holy by the grace and power of God.

Hour 2:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: If you know something tempts you, brings you in the wrong direction or is potentially harmful to you, go the other way. Don’t play games with something that bites!

Hour 1:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: Yes, the world is messed up and there is a lot of sin out there but we also need to ask the question–how much sin is here in the church and in our lives? We need to step up and be holy by the grace and power of God.

Hour 2:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: If you know something tempts you, brings you in the wrong direction or is potentially harmful to you, go the other way. Don’t play games with something that bites!

A Queer Thing Happened to America by Dr. Brown: A Queer Thing Happened to America chronicles the amazing transformation of America over the last forty years, literally, from Stonewall Inn to the White House, and addresses the question head-on: Is there really a gay agenda, or is it a fiction of the religious right? Written in a lively and compelling style, but backed with massive research and extensive interaction with the GLBT community, this forthright and yet compassionate book looks at the extraordinary impact gay activism has had on American society.

“Pray without ceasing….” -1 Thess. 5.17 The apostles of Scripture, basing their lives on the pattern left by Jesus, gave themselves unreservedly to a life of prayer, and they called the saints to enter into the same reality by the grace of God. They knew that it was only by entering into the place of […]

Have you ever considered debating Hebrew Roots Movement leaders? One of my friends forwards me teachings from one of the leaders, Jim Staley and I have forwarded my friend your material. My friend does ont agree with all that you teach because of what he has learned from the different HRM leaders. I want to have your input on the One Law topic. Maybe you can speak about it on air next Friday.

I’m listening to the show and regarding the role of men and women and how popular Christian just says, oh well that was just a ‘cultural thing’, that’s very similar to the Anti-Torah issue, oh well that was just a ‘Jewish cultural thing’.

Here’s something spiritual, not cultural that the Church of Pop rejects:

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Messiah. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you… Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head… Man was not created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels… Judge among yourselves! Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered!?! Yet if anyone is going to argue the point about it, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God [of women not covering their heads].” 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 5, 9-10, 13, 16

What part of “the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels” is cultural? What part of woman being created for the man as a helpmate cultural?

Are angels cultural ideas?
Was the Creation of Adam and Eve just a cultural idea?

Oh, and one last thing, are “the churches of God” merely cultural entities, like country clubs? Is not the practice, conduct and way of life of the Apostolic Church the real essence of true Spiritual?
We need to seek the truth with all our hearts, not seek the relative truth of pop culture that appeals to our emotions.

Hello,I am merely an unregenerate Gentile who has some familiarity with Holy Scripture,but,at the risk of putting the cat among the pigeons, i want to pose a few rhetorical questions :

In complaining to the world about how they treat the Bride,while allowing mislead teachers to feed OSAS,PRE-Tribulation rapture and Cessationism into the minds of believers,have ELDERS got their focus in reverse ?

Would Paul or Barnabus have written to the local authorities and said ‘Please,do not be nasty to us followers of Jesus,we do not like it – let us meet and do what we want,and where we want’ ?

In Second Covenant Scripture,we have the Messiah telling the disciples to make [hot] disciples (Matthew 28:19). Not only that,but Jesus also said that the environment in which that is to be done,will become increasingly hostile as His return draws ever nearer (Matthew 24:9).

Furthermore,we have Jude telling believers to contend for the faith(Jude 3),and Paul stipulating that a prerequisite for eldership is not only the ability to teach,but also the ability to refute those who contradict sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).

Therefore,and to repeat,is it correct for elders to spend time telling OUTSIDERS not to treat them as Jesus said they WOULD,while allowing mislead (sincere or insincere) teachers to plant OSAS,PRE-Tribulation rapture and Cessationism into the minds of INSIDERS ?????

“We need to step up and be holy by the grace and power of God.”-from hour 1 description above.

Ephesians 4
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

True holiness. What is it? In the passage above, it is contrasted with uncleanness as it is in many other places in scripture. Uncleanness is listed as a separate category from adultery and fornication by Paul. (2 Cor.12:21; Gal.5:19; Eph.5:3; Col.3:5) It must be more or other than sexual sin. How do we get our definition of “holy”?

Do we know that we are “holy” when we have just participated in emotional release at a dynamic song service? Is holiness a feeling? Do we just claim it by faith? Or is it a tangible thing?

Without it we will not see YHWH. We better know for sure that we have it, or practice it. We better know for sure that we know what it is. In verse 18 above we find out that our ignorance of true holiness is because of ignorance, that is a result of our blindness of heart. We have been deceived or we have deceived ourselves into thinking that YHWH’s Torah does not apply. Where else are we to find the definition of holiness?

We can continue to eat unclean things and participate in other unclean practices like other gentiles or we can accept YHWH’s definitions in His Torah. We can continue to refuse to put YHWH’s version of holiness into practice or we can stop being ignorant of His commandments and put them into practice. “Be ye holy for I YHWH am holy” means something. “I am YHWH that sanctifies you” means something too. Check these sayings out. They have to do with the things we eat and the things we wear and the Holy days and Sabbaths we keep…and with morality too.

Revelation 22
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Holy or filthy/unclean? Commandment keeping or ignorant and disobedient?

Isaiah 66
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

The slain of YHWH will be many. Do we really want to be found sanctifying ourselves while we eat swine’s flesh and other unclean things? Or do we want to put on the new man that is created in “true holiness”? Do we want to submit to YHWH’s version of holiness or continually fight with Him about it in our minds?

Romans 8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Was Abraham justified by following the Law? What about Noah? Was Enoch justified by the Law? They lived holy lives without the letter of the Law because they were led by the Spirit of the Law. The Law was given as a schoolmaster, preparing the Jews to live holy through the Spirit. The Law was necessary for the Israelites to live by to separate themselves as a nation to God before the Spirit was given to every individual believer. The Holy Spirit is given to believers to lead them to holiness and separation from the world. You can keep following the letter of the Law, which will only bring condemnation because of your inability to follow it, and you will be judged by it. But its clear from Scripture that the Holy Spirit working through us is the only way to be justified before God. That’s why no one was ever saved by following the Law, it is only through the death and resurrection of Christ that we may have access to the Father, which is eternal life. With the outpouring of the Spirit there is no need for the letter of the law. Jesus’ standards are much higher than the Law’s are. Through following the Law you will never be justified. The only way you will be justified is by the Blood of Messiah. Why do you think Paul told the Gentiles they didn’t need to be circumcised? Wasn’t circumcision a requirement of the Law? If they didn’t have to be circumcised, and if Paul could eat food sacrificed to idols, what effect did the Law have when the Spirit was given? Could it be that being led by the Spirit is better in Gods sight than striving in our flesh to walk out the commandments of the Law? The Law is good because it shows us our fallenness, but the Law can’t justify you, only the Blood can. Be led by the Spirit.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?…You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
” James 2:21,24

“What about Noah?”

“Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household.” Hebrews 11:7
He would have died had he not worked on the ark, to make it seaworthy.” Hebrews 11:7

“If Paul could eat food sacrificed to idols”

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” 1 Corinthians 10:21-22

“‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass…I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to… eat things sacrificed to idols…Indeed I will cast…those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:18-23

@Joel
“Do you think you should be able to stone Christians who work on Saturdays?”

I don’t think I should be able to do anything like that, but I know the Lord will judge the nations with a rod of iron when he returns and all the nations that don’t keep the feast of tabernacles won’t get any rain for an entire year, but that’s only one of many punishments the nations will get if they don’t repent.

David, how are “works” the Law? I have no problem saying that these godly men did godly things but it wasn’t the Law that they did. They followed the Spirit, not the letter. They couldn’t have followed the Law because the Law wasn’t given yet. If they didn’t have to follow the Law before it was given then why should we follow the Law after Yeshua fulfilled the requirements of the Law and in doing so imputed His righteousness to us? The Law was a tutor, not the ideal. The ideal is the Holy Spirit indwelling believers.

If the Law is still in effect today why don’t you carry out the punishment given for Sabbath breaking? Afterall, before Yeshua came there wasn’t a sinless person and yet they still stoned those who transgressed the Law. Yeshua wasn’t ruling the world with a rod of iron from Jerusalem when the death penalty was carried out in ancient Israel.

And the cup of demons is in no logical way talking about unclean food. That was a stretch. And Paul himself said he could eat food sacrificed to idols. Can you explain this if he was bound to the Law? And why did he tell the gentiles that they didn’t need to be circumcised?

You are setting up staw-men and Knocking them down. The law is not for gaining righteousness or holiness it is for revealing them. When we find that we cannot do what we ought, we learn we need a savior. When we get saved we are empowered to keep every word that proceeds from the mouth of YHWH. If we continue to sin/transgress the law after coming to the knowledge of the truth, there is no more sacrifice for sin. Once we know to do good and do it not, to us it is sin. Paul says that the law is good and that it is not made void by faith.

Romans 3
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Matthew 5
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I do not understand why you do not want to be great in the kingdom of heaven. If you want to have a real discussion about the passages that I quoted in my post above, I am ready. Please explain what those passages mean to you. Why do they not mean what they say?

There is no mention of the Law of Moses in any of the quotes you posted above. There is the law/teaching of God. What was Yeshua’s teaching? Was it not higher than the Law of Moses? Did not Yeshua say that you have heard that it was said but I say unto you? He changed the requirements. With the New Covenant comes new requirements. Just like in God’s covenant with Adam he was originally not allowed to eat meat, only vegetables. After Adam sinned God said men could eat meat. He established new requirements. Shall we now go back to vegetarianism because that was God’s requirements with Adam in the beginning?

You are trying to put new wine into old wineskins. The Kingdom of God is not manifested in “Do not touch, do not handle” laws. It is in the law of liberty. That’s why Paul said it was lawful for him to do all things, though not always helpful if it would cause one immature in their faith to stumble. And I’m not saying we are allowed the live immoral, I’m saying we aren’t bound the the requirements of the Sinai Covenant. Paul said with confidence that he could eat food sacrificed to idols. How can that be if he was bound by the Law? And he commanded that Gentiles not be circumcised. Why? Because they were brought into the New Covenant, not the Old Mosaic Covenant. With a new covenant comes new requirements. Just like a father would allow more freedom for his 16 year old than his 6 year old. The 16 year old son has more responsibility but not the same requirements. In the same way, believers in the New Covenant have more responsibility but we aren’t commanded to keep the Law of Moses.

Can you please tell me why believers are not commanded to be circumcised in the New Covenant and why Paul could eat food sacrificed to idols if the Law was still in effect?

Acts 15:5-11, 19-20, 28-29 NIV

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.

Where is it that Gentiles were required to keep the Law of Moses? And I don’t believe for a second that the “law of Moses” is referring to the non-existent Sinaic oral law. The Law of Moses is the written law given at Sinai. Please explain.

Bo, I just read a bunch of your posts on similar debates. You are obviously not open to anything outside of the Law of Moses being commanded for believers so there is no reason for me to talk to you about this. I pray that what you began in the Spirit you won’t continue to try to complete if the flesh. I understand why Dr. Brown refuses to dialogue with you about this. Be blessed.

You did not address the scriptures I posted. Whatever the law of YHWH is, it is spelled out in the Torah. He is the one that calls it His. Y’shua didn’t change the law. The “you have heard it said” passages are dealing with the teachings of the Jewish sages and Pharisees compared to YHWH’s law. All the things that they had heard said were not what was written. For example: Messiah simply took commandment 10 and applied 7 to it. No new law. Just the truth that when we lust after another man’s wife we have broken number 7 in our hearts. Number 10 and number 7 remain unchanged. If you would pay attention to context you would see that He led into this discussion by contrasting the righteousness of the Pharisees with true righteousness and then proceeded to give examples.

Matthew 5
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Here is the thought progression: The law is not about to be changed until heaven and earth pass away. The rulership of kingdom of heaven will be apportioned according to our dedication to YHWH’s law. The outward, manmade rules imposed by the Pharisees will not produce the kind of righteousness that will allow us a place in Y’shua’s kingdom. The law must be written on our hearts so that we will not break YHWH’s law.

A better decision would be to allow YHWH to write His commandments on your and Joel’s hearts. Then you wouldn’t need to be shown you error and you could be great in the kingdom of heaven. Not “getting into it with me” may or may not be smart decision. It just depends on whether your minds are open to the truth.

Please read the context of Hebrews. It is speaking of the Levitical priesthood. The laws of sacrifice are different in the Melchizedek priesthood from the Levitical priesthood. “Covenant” is in itallics which means it is added by the translators. Priesthood is a better choice of words considering the subject matter. Strange, don’t you think, that Paul participated in temple offerings after Messiah’s once for all sacrifice. He did this to prove that he still kept the law. Yes the temple sacrifices were about ready to vanish away (via destruction of the temple) when Hebrews was written, but Ezekiel prophesies that they will be reinstated during the Millennium.

What is obsolete is that New Covenant believers do not need a priesthood to teach them YHWH’s law. They have direct access to YHWH and He causes us to love His law. That is what having it written on our hearts means. If this love for YHWH’s law is not there, we should check to be sure we are really participating in the New Covenant. The same law that YHWH always called His, is still in effect. We are not to ignore it. We are not to be saved by it either. We are to fulfill/keep it if we have really been made righteous.

Romans 3
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

1 John 3
4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

We either prove that we are of the devil by continuing in willful and willing transgression of the law, or we prove that we are righteous by living up to YHWH’s requirements. Sin is the transgression of the law. Those that continue to break the law are not righteous.